Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Free Trade Agreement with the US

Thursday 9 February 2023 · 4 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 4 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The US is not currently negotiating free trade agreements with any other country.
  • There are no ongoing barriers to concluding a deal with the US, but negotiations are not possible at present.
  • The UK is engaging closely with the US Administration regarding the policies in the Inflation Reduction Act.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Emma Lewell Lab South Shields
Business & Trade
Context

No recent progress on a free trade agreement with the US despite previous rhetoric.

Question

There has been no real progress and there remains no free trade agreement with the US. Does the Minister think his suggestion that this is the fault of the US President will help or hinder future negotiations?

Answer from Nigel Huddleston

The US is not currently negotiating FTAs with any other country. We have dialogue with one of our closest allies and are working on areas including steel and food to create opportunities, alongside work in respect of the memorandum of understanding.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Minister did not address whether blaming the US President would help or hinder negotiations

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Q2 Emma Lewell Lab South Shields
Brexit Business & Trade
Context

Desire for a free trade deal with the US, despite potential barriers.

Question

Will the Minister confirm that there are no barriers at all to trying to conclude an agreement? We want this deal with the US. Does he think it will happen?

Answer from Nigel Huddleston

We are keen to conclude a deal with the US but they cannot enter into negotiations. However, we will continue to find opportunities and remove barriers where possible.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Minister did not confirm absence of barriers or likelihood of agreement happening

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Q3 Edward Leigh Con Gainsborough
Economy Business & Trade
Context

US Inflation Reduction Act poses risks to British green energy and technology firms.

Question

Had the Conservative party negotiated a free trade agreement with the US, as promised at the general election, would British firms have been protected from new market barriers? Is it true that infighting in the Conservative party delayed addressing this threat?

Answer from Nigel Huddleston

The US has opted to pursue policies in the Inflation Reduction Act that will harm British businesses. The UK expects to be part of any flexibilities in the implementation of the IRA, and we are engaging closely with the US Administration.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Minister did not address whether a free trade agreement would have protected firms or if internal issues delayed addressing the threat

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Q4 Gareth Thomas Labour (Co-op) Harrow West
Business & Trade
Context

Lack of progress on a free trade agreement despite previous statements.

Question

What recent progress has been made on a free trade agreement with the US?

Answer from Nigel Huddleston

We recognise that the US is not currently focused on FTAs. However, we stand ready to resume negotiations when they are ready. We have been working to improve the trading landscape by removing tariffs and lifting bans.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Minister did not provide details of recent progress but mentioned readiness for future negotiations

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